Update

March 12, 2020

March 12, 2020, 6 p.m.

To all Asbury University students and employees,

The health and safety of the Asbury University community are always some of my highest priorities and must be of utmost importance in unprecedented times like we are experiencing. The administration at Asbury has been monitoring the COVID-19 situation very closely. Since my email yesterday, several changes have occurred in the country and the Commonwealth of Kentucky which have tweaked some of our initial plans. This email contains high level information of alterations to our calendar and community. All of these decisions have been incredibly challenging, but when put in the context of student health and safety, I prefer to err on the side of caution. Please note that Asbury University does NOT have any reported or confirmed cases of COVID-19 at the time and date of this email.

This email provides some very important new information, as well as some action items, for students and employees. Also, please direct your attention to https://www.asbury.edu/covid19plan/ for all updates, student and employee information, travel information, and health services updates. If you have additional questions not answered in this email or on our webpage, please submit your question through email to covidquestions@asbury.edu or follow your organizational structure for communication.

ACTION NEEDED

1. Please register your travel.
   FOR ALL STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES: Please complete the information requested on the travel link sent via email earlier this week. This information will allow Asbury administrators to safeguard the community as much as possible.
2. Ensure your contact information is included in the Emergency Text Alert System. This is the system the University uses to communicate important information quickly to students and employees. If you did NOT receive a text alert on Wednesday, March 10 at approximately 60 pm EST, please be sure you register your cell phone with IT SERVICES by emailing your name, phone number, and cell phone carrier (AT&T, Verizon, etc.) to servicedesk@asbury.edu.
3. Students who need to be housed on campus, please complete the survey from your Residence Hall Director.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Spring Break will proceed as scheduled with the travel restrictions below.
• No In-Seat Classes will be held the week of March 23-29. At this time, students will be expected to return to campus no earlier than Sunday, March 29 and In-Seat Classes will resume on Monday, March 30.
• International Student and Employee travel for University sponsored/endorsed travel is CANCELLED through May 8, 2020. Travel after May 8, 2020 is pending review.
• Domestic Student and Employee travel for University sponsored events is CANCELLED THROUGH MARCH 30, 2020. Domestic travel after March 30, 2020 is pending review.
• Athletic competitions will continue to follow the Athletic Conference protocol. Conference level review is in process and athletes will be notified as soon as possible with updates.
• All student and employee personal international or domestic travel – please follow CDC Guidelines: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel.
• Students will receive a more detailed email later this evening and information will be posted online at www.asbury.edu/covid19plan.

NOTE: As of today, we are planning for students to resume in-seat classes on Monday, March 30, 2020. However, while Asbury has not made the decision to move classes solely online at this point, there may be developments with the spread of COVID-19 that could affect a student’s ability to return to campus. To be prepared, all students should take with them all essentials needed in the event one could not return to campus for a prolonged period of time, or would need to conduct online coursework remotely, i.e., laptops, chargers, textbooks/course materials, medications, valuables, pets (fish), etc.

Please continue to monitor your email for updates and be fully aware that travel restrictions and guidance for colleges and universities are frequently changing based on advice from the Kentucky Department of Health and the CDC.

NEW CDC TRAVEL GUIDELINES: This week, the CDC issued additional travel guidelines for individuals who have underlying health conditions, such as heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, or other immunocompromised conditions. Asbury University strongly recommends that students and employees with these underlying conditions refrain from non-essential travel and follow the CDC guidelines. You may view them here.

Asbury University’s COVID-19 Response Team has been monitoring the international and domestic response to COVID-19 and have been taking proactive steps to guide decisions related to University-related travel and ensuring the safety and well-being of our students and employees. The University is taking into account the directives and recommendations from national and state health agencies, including the CDC and the Kentucky Department of Health. We will continue to monitor the situation and will update the Asbury community as necessary. For the most current information, please visit https://www.asbury.edu/covid19plan/ and if you have questions, please email covidquestions@asbury.edu.

Thank you for your patience and your flexibility as we react and respond to this rapidly changing situation. Together, we will successfully navigate these times.

Praying for health and safety for our entire community,

Kevin J. Brown, Ph.D.
President